To be eligible for nomination into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, an act must have released its first single or album at least 25 years prior to the year of nomination which means that this years nominee’s had to have released their first recording no later than 1985.

This announcement is just the first step of the process; ballots will be sent to more than 500 voters and the inductees will be announced in December. The Induction Ceremony will take place on March 14 next year at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City.

Personally, this Webmaster is incredibly excited about Tom Waits’ nomination–a much deserved and long-overdue nod from the Hall.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will be televised live on Madison Square Garden’s national music television network, Fuse.